Harming Free Speech?

Harming Free Speech?

As Christians we instinctively want to defend the human right to free speech, because it encapsulates our right to worship God, proclaim the Gospel and explain the practice of our faith. Fortunately in the UK the legal framework and the political consensus is to...
We don’t know ourselves!

We don’t know ourselves!

One of my Christmas presents in 2021 was Fintan O’Toole’s new book, “We don’t know ourselves, a personal history of Ireland since 1958”. Being quarantined in the house for a week, I confess I devoured the book quicker than the Christmas cake. O’Toole, born in...
Who is my neighbour?

Who is my neighbour?

Following the St. Patrick’s Day joint statement by the Church Leaders’ Group (Ireland) last year, in which they personally lamented their lack of leadership in building a better quality of peace, I did some academic research as a Christian to explore how the Churches...
Praying beyond ourselves and our shores

Praying beyond ourselves and our shores

After retiring in 2017 from ministry in Presbyterian churches in the Republic, we moved north and engaged in a bit of “church tasting”.  Although there was a friendly welcome everywhere and faithful biblical preaching, I was dissatisfied with the prayers for others,...
Reflections on Epiphany 2022

Reflections on Epiphany 2022

The Christmas trees have gone for recycling, decorations are down and Christmas messages perused again. One e-card caused me both to smile and frown – showing Jesus in the manger, watched over by Mary and Joseph, shepherds adoring, oxen standing by and the angel...